green chair studiotag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-13890392015-11-30T11:31:23-05:00TypePadOn-the-Town Magazine Feature!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ecadbee883301b8d17ce021970c2015-11-30T11:31:23-05:002015-11-30T11:31:23-05:00Pick up the December 2015 issue of On the Town Magazine and you'll find a small article about me and my fledgling art endeavor, Green Chair Studio! And then, be sure to check out all the goodies I've been working...Green Chair Studio

Pick up the December 2015 issue of On the Town Magazine and you'll find a small article about me and my fledgling art endeavor, Green Chair Studio! And then, be sure to check out all the goodies I've been working on at the UICA 27th Annual Holiday Artist's Market December 4 & 5! Over 60 great regional artists/makers will be there sharing their awesome work!

Green Chair Studio is excited to again be participating in this event and is thrilled to be included with such a great group of artists and makers!

Come out and shop for beautifully crafted gifts and goods from dozens of regional artists, including jewelry, home goods, fine art, holiday cards, accessories, toys, and more! Enjoy live music and local food & beverage vendors while you shop for incredible handmade gifts for your friends and family. Support regional artists by shopping locally this holiday season!

Re-introducing Green Chair Studio!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ecadbee8833019b01afbf44970b2013-11-26T13:25:28-05:002013-11-26T13:25:28-05:00Yep... I see that it's been {{ahem...throat clear}} a while... kinda got lost in living there for a bit. So much has transpired and I hope at some point to share a bit about that BUT in the meantime, I...Green Chair Studio

Yep... I see that it's been {{ahem...throat clear}} a while... kinda got lost in living there for a bit. So much has transpired and I hope at some point to share a bit about that BUT in the meantime, I am happy to say that Green Chair Studio has been stretching its creative limbs and getting its feet wet again. First exciting thing to announce.... (drum roll please!).... Green Chair Studio will be participating in the UICA's 25th Anniversary Holiday Artist Market December 6 & 7! I am beyond thrilled to be included with the wonderful pick of artists for this years market and would love to see you local folks there! Here the details:

returning from a long hiatus...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ecadbee88330147e02dc9fb970b2010-11-26T17:38:13-05:002010-11-26T17:38:13-05:00... and excited to be participating in Freshly Blended's ornament swap again this year! See posts from previous years here, here, here, and here.Green Chair Studio

... and excited to be participating in Freshly Blended's ornament swap again this year!

New Zeeland Book Council - AMAZING!!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ecadbee88330120a86394e8970b2010-02-04T21:30:21-05:002010-02-04T21:32:37-05:00Green Chair Studio

my top 5 (upcoming) movie picks...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-681877952009-06-16T23:01:58-04:002009-06-16T23:01:58-04:00Been doing a lot of reading/research about the way our food is processed and can't wait to see this film... One of my all-time favorite books... Just looks incredibly interesting... From the apple movie trailer site: HERB & DOROTHY tells...Green Chair Studio
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Been doing a lot of reading/research about the way our food is processed and can't wait to see this film...
<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bPe5bNHH8s0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bPe5bNHH8s0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>
One of my all-time favorite books...
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Just looks incredibly interesting...
<blockquote>
From the <a href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/">apple movie trailer site</a>:
HERB & DOROTHY tells the extraordinary story of Herbert Vogel, a postal clerk, and Dorothy Vogel, a librarian, who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history with very modest means. In the early 1960s, when very little attention was paid to Minimalist and Conceptual Art, Herb and Dorothy Vogel quietly began purchasing the works of unknown artists. Devoting all of Herb’s salary to purchase art they liked, and living on Dorothy’s paycheck alone, they continued collecting artworks guided by two rules: the piece had to be affordable, and it had to be small enough to fit in their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment. Within these limitations, they proved themselves curatorial visionaries; most of those they supported and befriended went on to become world-renowned artists including Sol LeWitt, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Richard Tuttle, Chuck Close, Robert Mangold, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Lynda Benglis, Pat Steir, Robert Barry, Lucio Pozzi, and Lawrence Weiner. After thirty years of meticulous collecting and buying, the Vogels managed to accumulate over 2,000 pieces, filling every corner of their tiny one bedroom apartment. “Not even a toothpick could be squeezed into the apartment,” recalls Dorothy. In 1992, the Vogels decided to move their entire collection to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. The vast majority of their collection was given as a gift to the institution. Many of the works they acquired appreciated so significantly over the years that their collection today is worth millions of dollars. Still, the Vogels never sold a single piece. Today Herb and Dorothy still live in the same apartment in New York with 19 turtles, lots of fish, and one cat. They’ve refilled it with piles of new art they’ve acquired.
</blockquote>
<object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vma2T5luy08&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vma2T5luy08&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>
The Edge... do I really need to say more?...
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And last, but certainly not least, my friend Johno's film (this interview includes the trailer for the film)...
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What are your current top 5 picks?</div>
artprizetag:typepad.com,2003:post-659334332009-04-23T13:34:46-04:002009-04-23T13:46:52-04:00Today I am very excited and proud to say that I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan! Check THIS out! INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OFFERS WORLD’S LARGEST ARTPRIZE Public invited to use text votes, decide winners Grand Rapids, Mich. – April 23, 2009...Green Chair Studio
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Today I am very excited and proud to say that I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan!&nbsp; Check <a href="http://www.artprize.org/" target="_blank">THIS</a> out!</p>
<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NnBlnRpu-EU&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NnBlnRpu-EU&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>
<p><object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gVK0fL35ibc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gVK0fL35ibc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="295" width="480"></object>
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OFFERS WORLD’S LARGEST ARTPRIZE </p><p><em>Public invited to use text votes, decide winners</em> </p><p>Grand Rapids, Mich. – April 23, 2009 – ArtPrize invites artists of all kinds from around the world to participate in an unprecedented competition that will award nearly one-half million dollars to prize winners, including $250,000 to the artist who receives the most public votes. </p><p>Details of ArtPrize, which will run from Sept. 23 through Oct. 10, were announced today from the competition’s host city of Grand Rapids, Mich. ArtPrize will have no formal jury, curator or judge. The public will decide who wins the prizes by voting, using mobile devices and the web. </p><p>“It’s time to reboot the conversation between artists and the public. ArtPrize will be a celebration of art, design, and innovation that will bring artists and the public together like never before,” said ArtPrize creator Rick DeVos. </p><p>
The city of Grand Rapids will become art gallery. ArtPrize art works and performances, professional and amateur, will be exhibited at hundreds of venues, all within a three-square mile area in Grand Rapids’ downtown riverfront district. The city has offered up parks and bridges for outdoor venue displays. Scores of businesses will convert lobbies and public space for displays. </p><p>“Our family sees ArtPrize as a new and innovative way to engage and support the arts for the future,” said Betsy DeVos. The Dick &amp; Betsy DeVos Family Foundation is underwriting ArtPrize. “Dick and I share our son’s vision for encouraging everyone to explore the arts in a truly democratic way.” </p><p>Grand Rapids, a city of about 200,000 amidst a metropolis of more than a million people, has an impressive cultural urban core and a rich history of supporting public art. It is home to Alexander Calder’s “La Grand Vitesse,” the first community sculpture project funded through the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as major works by Mark di Suvero, Robert Morris and Maya Lin. </p><p>“It is increasingly important to find new ways to engage people, especially young people, in the arts,” said Michael Kaiser, president of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. “ArtPrize is a dynamic and creative way to use technology to engage people of all ages.” </p><p>ArtPrize is expected to draw thousands of entries, and art enthusiasts from across the globe are expected to attend. The ArtPrize team directly communicated with about 10,000 artists, design schools, art schools, museums and galleries worldwide as part of today’s launch. “This is a bit of an art revolution,” said Jeff Speck, former director of design for the National Endowment for the Arts and author of Suburban Nation. “It will be exciting to see a city use its downtown area as an art gallery to share with the world.” </p><p>“I’m astounded by the potential for social networking, community involvement, and the expanded view of the role of art,” said Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell. “ArtPrize will excite the world, and the world will look at our city differently because of it.” </p><p>Grand Rapids is internationally recognized as home of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, which showcases one of the world’s foremost collections of modern and contemporary sculptures, including pieces from well-known artists such as Moore, Oldenberg, Goldsworthy, Plensa and many more. In 2006, the city hosted a large-scale exhibit by Tom Otterness, considered one of the premier public artists attracted more than 750,000 visitors. The city recently built and opened the world’s first LEED gold certified art museum. </p><p>For more information about ArtPrize, go to <a href="http://www.artprize.org" target="_blank">artprize.org</a>.</p></div>
inspiration - day fourtag:typepad.com,2003:post-647675332009-03-28T01:27:10-04:002009-03-28T01:27:10-04:00More papercutting!! Today the lovely work of Elsa Mora. Find her main blog here, papercutting blog here, fashion blog here, and her etsy shop here (yes, she's a busy, busy lady!). Also, check out her papercuts inspired by classic children's...Green Chair Studio

Also, check out her papercuts inspired by classic children's stories here. Wouldn't those make such a lovely grouping of pictures for a baby nursery or child's room? {{swoon}}

Anybody else itching to pull out a cutting mat and x-acto knife?

inspiration - day threetag:typepad.com,2003:post-646811272009-03-26T22:42:38-04:002009-03-26T22:42:38-04:00Beautiful, beautiful - the work of Virginia Rose Kane combines lots of elements I love - collage, botanicals, ephemera, old imagery, and intricate paper cutting. I first met Virginia years ago when she lived in Michigan and we were both...Green Chair Studio

Beautiful, beautiful - the work of Virginia Rose Kane combines lots of elements I love - collage, botanicals, ephemera, old imagery, and intricate paper cutting. I first met Virginia years ago when she lived in Michigan and we were both participating in the U.I.C.A. Holiday Artist's Market. She has since moved but I have had the joy of seeing her work progress through her website, shop, flickr, and blog. Really stunning work!

inspiration - day twotag:typepad.com,2003:post-646003692009-03-25T01:02:54-04:002009-03-25T01:02:54-04:00My featured artist today is the amazing Su Blackwell. Her book-cut sculptures are meticulously crafted and so very beautiful and inventive. I would love to see her work in person as I'm sure that it is even more stunning in...Green Chair Studio

My featured artist today is the amazing Su Blackwell. Her book-cut sculptures are meticulously crafted and so very beautiful and inventive. I would love to see her work in person as I'm sure that it is even more stunning in all its dimensional, delicate glory. I thought she also had an interesting artist statement:

Paper has been used for communication since its invention; either
between humans or in an attempt to communicate with the spirit world. I
employ this delicate, accessible medium and use irreversible,
destructive processes to reflect on the precariousness of the world we
inhabit and the fragility of our life, dreams and ambitions.

It
is the delicacy, the slight feeling of claustrophobia, as if these
characters, the landscape have been trapped inside the book all this
time and are now suddenly released. A number of the compositions have
an urgency about them, the choices made for the cut-out people from the
illustrations seem to lean towards people on their way somewhere, about
to discover something, or perhaps escaping from something. And the
landscapes speak of a bleak mystery, a rising, an awareness of the air.

detail 1:detail 2:She also did this really cool ad for Beringer Wine:

inspiration - day onetag:typepad.com,2003:post-645358612009-03-23T23:19:56-04:002009-03-23T23:19:56-04:00This week I want to share some of my favorite inspiring artists, concentrating on some of those working with paper and bookmaking/sculpture. I'll be featuring someone every day this week so stop back often! First up: Mister Rob Ryan, paper-cutter...Green Chair Studio

This week I want to share some of my favorite inspiring artists, concentrating on some of those working with paper and bookmaking/sculpture. I'll be featuring someone every day this week so stop back often!

First up: Mister Rob Ryan, paper-cutter extraordinaire. I was absolutely smitten when I first saw his work. I can hardly imagine the patience and precision it takes to make these ridiculously lovely pieces. (And I'm curious how many x-acto blades he goes through in a week!) Check out his website and shop.

my sentiments (almost) exactly...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-643722352009-03-19T14:49:45-04:002009-03-19T14:49:45-04:00My friend Terri recently posted this video on Facebook. It just really resonated with me and my current struggle to make time for art in my life...Green Chair Studio

My friend Terri recently posted this video on Facebook. It just really resonated with me and my current struggle to make time for art in my life...

for my beloved...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-622318622009-02-01T15:32:56-05:002009-02-01T15:32:56-05:00you are the best thing... you really are.Green Chair Studio
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xpJnBDzSXo0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xpJnBDzSXo0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>
you are the best thing... you really are.</div>
1000 journals...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-622021222009-01-31T16:37:17-05:002009-01-31T16:45:09-05:00I was very excited to see today that the 1000 Journals DVD is now available for purchase on Amazon. You can check out the website for the documentary here and the website for the original project here. There is also...Green Chair Studio
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><object height="295" width="480"><a href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ecadbee8833010536fd8f9c970b-popup" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" style="display: inline;"><img alt="1000 Journals" class="at-xid-6a00e54ecadbee8833010536fd8f9c970b " src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ecadbee8833010536fd8f9c970b-250wi" style="width: 225px;"></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ecadbee883301116837f481970c-popup" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" style="display: inline;"><img alt="1000Journals2" class="at-xid-6a00e54ecadbee883301116837f481970c " src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ecadbee883301116837f481970c-250wi" style="width: 225px;"></a>
<br>I was very excited to see today that the 1000 Journals DVD is now available for purchase on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001P2I8S8/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&amp;m=A3IMNO8R4N38HP&amp;v=glance" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.&nbsp; You can check out the website for the documentary <a href="http://www.1000journalsfilm.com/home.html" target="_blank">here</a> and the website for the original project <a href="http://www.1000journals.com" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp; There is also a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/1000-Journals-Project-Someguy/dp/0811858561/ref=pd_bxgy_d_text_b" target="_blank">book</a> about this project that was released some time ago.&nbsp; I have followed this project for several years and find the whole concept fascinating.&nbsp; Oh - how I'd love to come across one of these journals and contribute a page or two!&nbsp;<em> (This is, by the way, not to be confused with the book I did contribute to entitled, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/000-Artist-Journal-Pages-Inspirations/dp/1592534120/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1233437744&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank">1000 Artist Journal Pages</a>.)</em>&nbsp; Anyway, for those of you unfamiliar, here is a great review of the documentary that also gives a little more background on the 1000 Journals project</object><object height="295" width="480">...&nbsp;</object></p><p style="margin-left: 80px;">In a surprising region where art, performance, psychology and
interactivity overlap, during the summer of 2000 a wonderful project
was born. A San Francisco artist who mysteriously calls himself
'Someguy' began a unique adventure that touched thousands of people all
over the world. He compiled and released 1000 blank writing journals
into the world - placing them in cafes, restaurants, parks, bookstores,
on streets, and in many other places where random people would be
likely to find them. He invited people to contribute some content, then
pass them on, and asked that the filled journals be returned. His
message to those who found the journals said: 'This is an experiment
and you are part of it.' Someguy's inspiration for creating this
project came from his fascination with messages that people scribble on
bathroom walls. Three years later, only 1 journal had come back to him.
His curiosity was overwhelming - he wondered where the other 999
journals had disappeared to, so he tried to find them. </p><p style="margin-left: 80px;"> Southern
California filmmaker Andrea Kreuzhage chose to follow this quest and
deeply immersed herself in the human drama of it. She joined Someguy to
document the bizarre and always interesting story of what happened to
these journals and this unique experiment, and the process took her
around the world. She found herself on a wild treasure hunt which
included many wonderful and fascinating people, and a singular look at
a whole new world of art, serendipity and possibility. In fact, she
discovered a microcosm of human nature, personalities and experiences
that left me breathless with the sheer brilliance of it. This film is
not to be missed! </p><p style="margin-left: 80px;"> In some strange way the journals became
therapeutic experiences for some of those who found them, and acted
like a mirror for others. It opened up many people's worlds and changed
many lives as some pondered why this experience touched them. For
others it motivated them to face some parts of themselves that they had
never dealt with before, or even realized existed. </p><p style="margin-left: 80px;"> This film,
which is masterful in both concept and execution, expresses the
enormous range of creativity of the artist, the filmmaker and the
people who contributed to the experiment, and the drive to creatively
collaborate. It's an exciting exploration of a variety of emotions,
from joy to rage and everything in between. Perhaps most important,
it's about the juiciness of surprise and the belief in hope and the
goodness of people. Like most truly great works, it has a deeply
satisfying and uplifting way of pointing out universal themes and puts
a focus on our humanity and our instinct for contribution and sharing.
This is a unique and deeply moving film that has stayed in my awareness
since I saw it. It will be equally interesting to people whose world is
related to art in their every day lives, and to those who have little
opportunity for creative expression. </p><div style="margin-left: 80px;">-Karil Daniels --Rotten Tomatoes
</div><p><object height="295" width="480"><p><object height="295" width="480">&nbsp; </object><object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/klnFtLGrKWU&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/klnFtLGrKWU&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="295" width="480"></object>
</p></object></p>
<a style="display: inline;" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ecadbee88330111683807a9970c-popup" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false"><img class="at-xid-6a00e54ecadbee88330111683807a9970c image-full" alt="Experiment_500px" title="Experiment_500px" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ecadbee88330111683807a9970c-800wi" border="0" /></a>
</div>
ornament swap (part 3)...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-615258562009-01-17T19:39:50-05:002009-01-17T19:39:50-05:00Wow - the holidays flew by! I never got around to sharing the awesome ornaments I received in the swap so I figured I'd do that now... 1) snowflake from Susan 2) paper quilled tree 3) bottle opener/ornament from Kelley...Green Chair Studio

Wow - the holidays flew by! I never got around to sharing the awesome ornaments I received in the swap so I figured I'd do that now...

And now it's half way through January already! I have been very busy at my job for the last month. I work part-time as a secretary for our church and we've moved into our new building and I've been working on a big yearly project (the Annual Report). I haven't had much creative time with the holidays and all the extra work! I am looking forward to things slowing down so I can pursue some ideas that have been floating around in my head for awhile. I am also trying to get back into journaling on a regular basis - stay tuned!

Here's my new office with the only creative endeavor of late... a photo collage for my desk bulletin board (click to enlarge)...

we wish you a merry christmas...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-604377782008-12-25T13:47:34-05:002008-12-25T13:47:34-05:00Check out our family's holiday greeting HERE and have a very merry christmas!Green Chair Studio

Check out our family's holiday greeting HERE and have a very merry christmas!

ornament swap (part 2)...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-600786102008-12-16T08:38:59-05:002008-12-16T08:38:59-05:00As posted earlier, I recently participated in cake & pie / freshly blended's Third Annual Ornament Swap. This was a swap I did last year as well (see here). I enjoyed spending a wee bit of time in my studio...Green Chair Studio

As posted earlier, I recently participated in cake & pie / freshly blended's Third Annual Ornament Swap. This was a swap I did last year as well (see here). I enjoyed spending a wee bit of time in my studio (which has been rare this past year) to make up these ornaments for my swap partners. The front of the ornament is a photo I took with a glittered faun attached. The backside is patterned paper with the first initial of each participant (also glittered). (As a side note, I have to say I am totally in love with the Martha Stewart glitter available at Michaels.) Below are a few photos of the project in process. You can check out other's contributions on the flickr group here.

We are having a lot of fun receiving ornaments in return as well. The kids love to check the mail for packages and they are always intrigued by where each one comes from. I'll post pics of those next!

Modish is currently doing three BIG awesome give-away packages. Head over here for your chance to win! (Deadline is tomorrow so hurry!)

Give-away package #1:

Give-away package #2:

Give-away package #3:

ornament swap...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-598481422008-12-11T00:20:25-05:002008-12-11T00:20:25-05:00It's that time of year again... I just finished and mailed out my ornaments for the Cake & Pie / Freshly Blended Holiday Ornament Swap. You can check out what others are doing on the flickr group. I will be...Green Chair Studio

It's that time of year again...I just finished and mailed out my ornaments for the Cake & Pie / Freshly Blended Holiday Ornament Swap. You can check out what others are doing on the flickr group. I will be posting later with photos of my contribution....

"fall" back into blogging...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-583649282008-11-11T16:27:13-05:002008-11-11T16:27:13-05:00Have you ever noticed how many bloggers are perpetually apologizing for not posting more often? Have you noticed that I am one of them? I have all sorts of things I'd love to share with you but find myself quite...Green Chair Studio

Have you ever noticed how many bloggers are perpetually apologizing for not posting more often?

Have you noticed that I am one of them?

I have all sorts of things I'd love to share with you but find myself quite overwhelmed with this re-entry into "normal" life. So for today I am trying something new. I'll be answering a recent blogland One-Word-Answer meme and if you are reading this I tag YOU to play along! (Leave a comment and a link!)

Where is your mobile phone? unanswered

Where is your significant other? doghouse (ok, not really, that just seemed like a funny answer - he is actually at work)

corners of my home (sunday)...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-559568942008-09-21T23:37:53-04:002008-09-21T23:37:53-04:00Short and sweet for today... The door between our back entry and the kitchen - painted, decoupaged, and sealed with polyurethane.Green Chair Studio

Short and sweet for today...The door between our back entry and the kitchen - painted, decoupaged, and sealed with polyurethane.

corners of my home (saturday)...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-559167762008-09-20T22:36:07-04:002008-09-20T22:36:07-04:00Well - I'm beginning to wonder WHY I said I would post daily corners this week! Anyway, I am going to (hopefully) make up for yesterday's meager attempt with today's post! So here goes... Welcome to the MONKEY ROOM! This...Green Chair Studio
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Well - I'm beginning to wonder WHY I said I would post <em><strong>daily </strong></em>corners this week!&nbsp; Anyway, I am going to (hopefully) make up for yesterday's meager attempt with today's post!&nbsp; So here goes...</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1.2em;"><strong>Welcome to the MONKEY ROOM!<a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/welcome_to_the_monkey_room.jpg"><img width="475" height="356" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/welcome_to_the_monkey_room.jpg" title="Welcome_to_the_monkey_room" alt="Welcome_to_the_monkey_room" /></a>
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<p>This is my little monkey's monkey-themed bedroom - come on in and <em>hang out</em> for awhile!</p>
<p><a href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/aidans_bed_2.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="475" height="356" border="0" alt="Aidans_bed_2" title="Aidans_bed_2" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/aidans_bed_2.jpg" /></a>
<br />Let's start with the bed.&nbsp; We found this bed at <a href="http://www.ikea.com">Ikea</a> years ago (it used to be Lauren's bed) and it has three different height options - loft (the way Lauren used it with a desk underneath), mid-height (as you see here in Aidan's room), or regular (then the bars around the top are like a canopy frame).&nbsp; I used a sheet to sew a sort of canopy over top of the bed with ties all the way around shaped like vines with leaves at the ends.<br /><a href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/under_bed.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="475" height="356" border="0" alt="Under_bed" title="Under_bed" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/under_bed.jpg" /></a>
<br />Underneath the bed is a cozy rug and pillows with Aidan's books and stuffed animals.&nbsp; <br /><a href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/haan_family_theatre_2.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="150" height="199" border="0" alt="Haan_family_theatre_2" title="Haan_family_theatre_2" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/haan_family_theatre_2.jpg" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; float: left;" /></a>Another great &quot;feature&quot; is the optional puppet <br />theater.&nbsp; I just sewed up a curtain that he can <br />attach between the posts of the bed with a <br />tension rod whenever he wants to put on a <br />puppet show.&nbsp; We've collected quite a stash <br />of finger puppets and a few larger puppets <br />as well.&nbsp; And OF COURSE there is a MONKEY <br />finger puppet AND a larger MONKEY puppet!&nbsp; </p>
<p>(Note:&nbsp; <a href="http://www.ikea.com">Ikea</a> has some great CHEAP finger puppet sets.)<br /><a href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/puppet_theatre.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="475" height="356" border="0" alt="Puppet_theatre" title="Puppet_theatre" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/puppet_theatre.jpg" /></a>
</p>
<p><a href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/dresser_full_shot.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="475" height="632" border="0" alt="Dresser_full_shot" title="Dresser_full_shot" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/dresser_full_shot.jpg" /></a>
<br />This corner has Aidan's dresser.&nbsp; His dresser, nightstand, and bookshelves were all things we've had for years (in fact they date back to my childhood) but I sanded them all down and painted them to match the room.&nbsp; Here are some close-ups of the dresser (click on photos to enlarge).<br /><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/dresser_knobs_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="306" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/dresser_knobs_2.jpg" title="Dresser_knobs_2" alt="Dresser_knobs_2" /></a>&nbsp;
<a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/dresser_top_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="306" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/dresser_top_2.jpg" title="Dresser_top_2" alt="Dresser_top_2" /></a>
<br />The furniture is all painted in the same colors as the walls.&nbsp; I really love how the dresser turned out mostly because of the fun knobs on the drawers.<br /><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/dresser_knob_closeup_3.jpg"><img width="235" height="176" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/dresser_knob_closeup_3.jpg" title="Dresser_knob_closeup_3" alt="Dresser_knob_closeup_3" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; float: left;" /></a>
<br />I bought unfinished wood knobs in <br />different sizes and painted them <br />with different patterns.&nbsp; The monkey <br />face knob was just a plain round knob <br />that I added ears to (the ears are tips <br />of popsicle sticks cut off and <br />superglued from the back on the <br />sides of the knobs).</p>
<p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/rocking_chair_corner.jpg"><img width="475" height="356" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/rocking_chair_corner.jpg" title="Rocking_chair_corner" alt="Rocking_chair_corner" /></a> <br />This is another corner of the room with a nightstand, rocking chair, and bookshelves for Aidan's toys (I found all those great green bins at the Dollar Store).&nbsp; A project on my current list of &quot;things to do&quot; is a huge monkey collage for the big wall above the bookshelves.&nbsp; Hopefully I'll get it done before he is a teenager who will likely not be interested in having a monkey-themed room :)</p>
<p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/nightstandchair.jpg"><img width="235" height="313" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/nightstandchair.jpg" title="Nightstandchair" alt="Nightstandchair" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; float: left;" /></a>
The rocking chair is something we've had in all our babies' nurseries although the cushions were originally a denim fabric.&nbsp; I investigated the option of buying new cushions which turned out to be more money than we originally paid for the chair so I decided to try re-covering the denim ones.&nbsp; I used a brown furry fabric which worked great (because the furriness covered up the areas where my fit was not exact :)&nbsp; The nightstand was re-painted and another monkey knob was made for it as well.</p>
<p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/nightstand_knob_closeup.jpg"><img width="100" height="75" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/nightstand_knob_closeup.jpg" title="Nightstand_knob_closeup" alt="Nightstand_knob_closeup" /></a> </p>
<p>You may have noticed that the walls are painted in alternating colors between brown and green.&nbsp; There are two walls that have windows and on the green wall we made the curtains brown and on the brown wall we made the curtains green (the curtains are sewn out of sheets as well).</p>
<p>Here are just some random details from around the room...<br /><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/aidan_letters_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="172" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/aidan_letters_2.jpg" title="Aidan_letters_2" alt="Aidan_letters_2" /></a>
<a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/bed_closeup_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="172" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/bed_closeup_2.jpg" title="Bed_closeup_2" alt="Bed_closeup_2" /></a>
</p>
<p>1)&nbsp; Walmart sells these great unfinished wooden letters and the stand to attach them to (the small wooden monkey cut-out is from Michaels).&nbsp; 2)&nbsp; Magnetic monkeys are great on the metal-framed bed.&nbsp; The quilt and sheets on Aidan's bed were clearance finds from Target. </p>
<p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/monkeys_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="306" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/monkeys_2.jpg" title="Monkeys_2" alt="Monkeys_2" /></a>
<a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/rocking_chair_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="306" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/rocking_chair_2.jpg" title="Rocking_chair_2" alt="Rocking_chair_2" /></a>
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<p>1)&nbsp; More monkeys&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;2)&nbsp; Rocking chair close-up <br /> </p>
<p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/wooden_monkey_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="306" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/wooden_monkey_2.jpg" title="Wooden_monkey_2" alt="Wooden_monkey_2" /></a>
<a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/sock_monkey_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="306" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/sock_monkey_2.jpg" title="Sock_monkey_2" alt="Sock_monkey_2" /></a>
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<p>1)&nbsp; Yes... more monkeys&nbsp; 2)&nbsp; The sock monkey I made for Aidan a couple of Christmases ago (to see more results from my sock-monkey-making-marathon, click on the album in my side bar)<br /> </p>
<p><a href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/monkey_house_1_2.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="150" height="199" border="0" alt="Monkey_house_1_2" title="Monkey_house_1_2" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/monkey_house_1_2.jpg" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; float: left;" /></a>One of my favorite things in the room is actually<br /> really small and frequently goes unnoticed.&nbsp; <br />It is a small birdhouse (or rather, in this case, <br />monkeyhouse).&nbsp; Aidan built this himself at a <br /><a href="http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com">Lowe's kid's workshop</a> and after he brought it <br />home I painted it to hang above his closet door.&nbsp; <br />I even constructed a tiny sign that says &quot;monkey <br />house&quot; using rubber alphabet stamps dipped in <br />paint.&nbsp; I also used some plastic &quot;barrel of monkeys&quot; <br />(you know the red ones?) and painted those to <br />hang out in the monkeyhouse as well.</p>
<p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/monkey_house_2_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="172" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/monkey_house_2_2.jpg" title="Monkey_house_2_2" alt="Monkey_house_2_2" /></a>
<a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/monkey_house_3_2.jpg"><img width="230" height="172" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/monkey_house_3_2.jpg" title="Monkey_house_3_2" alt="Monkey_house_3_2" /></a>
</p>
<p>All in all it has been a pretty cool bedroom for this &quot;prone-to-monkeying-around&quot; little boy (and yes, those are monkeys on his t-shirt too!).&nbsp; <br /> </p>
<p><a href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/20/aidan_on_bed.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="475" height="356" border="0" alt="Aidan_on_bed" title="Aidan_on_bed" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/20/aidan_on_bed.jpg" /></a>
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corners of my home (friday)...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-558805982008-09-19T23:53:03-04:002008-09-19T23:53:03-04:00Ok... I know... not technically a corner of my home, but this funky plant is in my backyard and I have no idea what it is. It is 11:50 pm and I just realized I did not post today and...Green Chair Studio
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/19/funky_plant.jpg"><img width="475" height="356" border="0" src="http://greenchairstudio.typepad.com/green_chair_studio/images/2008/09/19/funky_plant.jpg" title="Funky_plant" alt="Funky_plant" /></a><br />Ok... I know... not technically a corner of my home, but this funky plant is in my backyard and I have no idea what it is.&nbsp; It is 11:50 pm and I just realized I did not post today and since I said I'd post something each day this week, this is what you get - a bit of a cop-out but hopefully I'll have something better for you tomorrow.&nbsp; Until then, sweet dreams! </p></div>